Written by Taking a break from food today, as I couldn’t pass up a chance to doodlewash an owl for today’s prompt. I love owls, and I think their eyes are particularly beautiful. Large and full of wonder or wisdom or, perhaps, simply a healthy dash of both. A quality that I always think is rather wonderful in people as well. Not the large orange eyes as that would be weird and unsettling, but the wonder and wisdom bit. They say that when you get older you get wiser. Perhaps, simply from a lifetime of hopefully learning from mistakes. But, I’ve always wanted to maintain a bit of wonder as well. No matter how much I think I know, there’s still so much yet to be discovered. And often the thoughts I once believed to be the truth, I question like a child. Why on earth should it have to be this way or that? That’s when I think real creativity shines. When we can stop pretending we have any knowledge or control over what might happen next. Just a fabulous sense of wonder that drives us to try new things. Things that surprise and delight our inner child while the wise adult simply looks on with amazement.
I have to admit that I’ve been attempting a lot of crazy ideas lately, on this site alone. I have a vision for what could happen on Doodlewash, and in my head it’s amazing! In reality, of course, it’s far more challenging to make those things happen, but I keep on trying each and every day. While the wise adult tells me to leave well enough alone, the meddling child just won’t be contained. He just needs to know. What if this were to happen or what if that were to happen? In his childish mind, the only way to really know anything is to actually DO it. The adult mind makes a stern face and says that’s too ambitious or simply not possible. That’s when my favorite part happens. The childish mind wins out and I can hear a fainting farting noise made when one sticks their tongue out and blows. This child is defiant and he simply won’t settle for pretending to understand everything. Maybe one day, he’ll actually grow up. But today, he’s on a journey to make something amazing happen, so there’s simply not time for that now.
I hope each of you are making time to pursue your dreams while letting your inner child take over as you go. Mistakes should definitely make us wiser, but they should never make us shy about trying again. There’s always a very slightly different way to do something, and that difference can make all the difference in the world. Back when I worked in a large corporation, my ideas were often met with the line, “we’ve done that before.” I can assure you, that what I was describing was nothing like anything that was done previously, but any faint resemblance made them blind to other possibilities. Sometimes, having wizened eyes isn’t always the best thing. It can often be the thing that holds us back from achieving something amazing and new! So, each and every day I strive to mix that impossible concoction of endless childlike exuberance and fearlessness, with my often too overly adult eyes of an owl.
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About the DoodlewashDa Vinci Paint Co.: Da Vinci Yellow, Bezimida Orange, Da Vinci Red, Terra Cotta, Ultramarine Blue, and Payne’s Gray. Lamy Al-Star Safari Fountain Pen with sepia ink in an A5 Hahnemühle Watercolour Book. |
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Oh how you nailed those eyes! Keep on seeking the amazing!
Aww thanks so much, Jodi! 😃💕 Always seeking the amazing!! Let’s all DO it!
Wonderful owl, Charlie. And yes, keep chasing those dreams! (K)
Thanks so much, Kerfe!! 😃💕 I don’t think I could stop if I tried!! hehe
Owl-mazing! I love those eyes. And as always your post makes me stop and think. It’s a shame so many of us lose that child-like aspect of ourselves and starts putting limits to things. Not only do we lose the ability to succeed in new things, we loose the ability to feel joy in what we do.
Thanks, Sandra! 😃💕 I know right? That giddiness for just trying something and making it happen can get lost. We try to judge it. Yucky, I say! Just be thrilled and excited! Anything newly made deserves that much.
Beautiful owl and amazing eyes!
Thanks so much, Teri!! 😃💕
Great owl! I think you keep a good balance Charlie. You can share your dreams openly as a child would, but also put in the hard work that is required of an adult. Your amazing art and this site are examples of that.
Aww that’s so sweet of you to say, Laura! 😃💕 Thanks so much! I DO put in a lot of effort on this site, but I hope that it helps artists everywhere in the end. It’s always been my dream!
A wise and wonderful owl, Charlie! 😄👍 I hope you never stop dreaming – as for me it keeps me excited to get up in the morning. I believe dreams bring us hope. 🌻💕
Thanks, Jill! 😃💕 SO true!! Dreams are pretty much the primary ingredient for hope. I think that’s why I love them so much.
I like the child Charlie! Also, the owl’s eyes are luminous.
hehe… thanks, Sharon!! 😃💕 Glad ya liked this… and yeah, child Charlie is pretty much the only one in charge around here. lol
Best to keep him in charge!
You could not possibly know that I installed a new background with a owl very similar to this one on my computerscreen! Great Owl Charlie`!
Aww! Cool! And thanks so much, Edo! Glad you liked this! 😃💕
Another post that makes me think about all the possibilities still ahead. As long as I can, I want to continue to contribute something positive and creative, and help others do the same. That’s what you’ve done here on Doodlewash, Charlie, and it’s a pleasure each day to tune in and see what’s new. Like your wise owl with its golden eyes, peering ahead.
Aww thanks, Shari! 😃💕 I truly hope that’s what I’m making happen here! My inner child gets so enthusiastic making cool things, but my adult brain wants to be sure that they are always something that makes life better for people.
You have such a positive attitude that I feel certain of your dreams will come true. Look at all the new members you have joining every week.
Aww thanks so much, Kaye! 😃💕 Yes! It’s such a pleasure to see so many people join the club. I’ve not really advertised as I think it’s best to let these things happen organically!
Stunning!
Thanks so much, Susan! 😃💕
The owl, the wisdom,
both a good way to start a day!
Aww thanks!! 😃💕 Owls are definitely wise and wonderful!
Hi Charlie, what brand of sepia ink do you use in your Lamy pen? I’m looking for a sepia ink that doesn’t bleed when I put a watercolor wash over it. Thanks. Ann
Hey Ann! 😃💕 I actually list it in my recommendations shop here: https://doodlewash.com/shop/recommended-products/recommended-art-supplies/platinum-carbon-sepia-ink/
Love this ink! But sometimes I do a quick pencil contour sketch first and then erase… it needs a bit of time to set first. Once it’s perfectly dry you can erase, or wash to your hearts content and no bleeding!!
Thanks. I use their Platinum carbon black, and love it. Glad to know they have a sepia, too.
Walt Disney once said, “It’s fun doing the impossible.”
Walt was clearly channeling his inner owl.
So true!! 😃💕 And gotta love Walt! He started here in Kansas City… where they say he got the inspiration for Mickey Mouse! Another of my faves! hehe
Your owl is lovely! He looks ready to take flight, just like your plans.
Thanks so much, Kati! 😃💕 And yes! I hope so!!
I love the texture you’ve created for the hair, and the eyes are very striking.
Thanks so much, Joanne! 😃💕 Glad you liked this!
My philosophy has always been the ages old HP Advert “What IF” and I encouraged everyone from office to home to church and beyond to think that thought when they were trying something new.
I’m still enforcing that line of thought with my struggle to find a viable option for a watercolour palette that is stable and practical for use in my bedchair. There simply must be a solution and I’m determined to find it.
Trust me… there is always a solution out there, no matter how difficult the problem seems. You’ll find it! It’s just a small step beyond that next what if. 😉💕
Exactly! 😃👏🏻❣️
Oh that eyes, it can cause fear immediately in prey, Amazing, i love paintings of birds. 😠
Thanks so much, Amit!! 😃💕 yeah, those eyes can certainly capture attention!
Every time I see an owl I think of my mom, she loves owls. And much like you she finds joy and wonder in small moments every day. I love spending time with her, I always feel refreshed as she re-awakens my inner child.
That’s the most beautiful thing of all!! 😃💕 Love that!
keep listening to that child part of you, it’s creating something great.
aww thanks so much, Jennifer! 😃💕